The pen may be mightier than the sword, but for Jason Sagebiel, instruments are the most powerful tool of all.

During his time with the Marine Corps, Sagebiel served as a scout sniper deployed in Iraq. It was there that he sustained a brain injury. Back home, he retaught himself to play guitar and used the process as a type of therapy.

“I immersed myself in the study of how the brain learns, and the science and phycology of learning,” Sagebiel said. “It was through my own self-healing and recovery that I discovered how to help others through music therapy.”

This Texas transplant moved to Queens following his tour in Iraq and opened a music school in Forest Hills. Due to its popularity, he decided to move to a bigger space at 44-02 23rd Street in Long Island City.

In addition to more room, Sagebiel said the proximity to Brooklyn and Manhattan makes it a perfect place to open up a business. He also has plans to open a second facility very soon in Greenpoint.

Currently, Sage Music has student who range in age from four to 87 years old. Sagebiel said that having a bad teacher can actually make a musician worse.

According to Sagebiel, many music teachers are trained in the traditional style of classroom teaching. At Sage Music, he works closely with his eight teachers ensuring they are familiar with the one-on-one style of teaching.

“Music is absolutely great and enriches people’s lives,” he said. “It’s a good thing to do and helps people grow and become well-rounded people.”